In order to determine which spinal stenosis treatment is right for your condition and affords you the best chance to overcome your pain, it is extremely important that you work closely with your physician. While there are many treatments available for patients with neck and back pain, a physician will take into account your age, current prescriptions, overall health and other essential variables to ensure that you aren’t doing more harm than good.

The anatomy of stenosis

In the most basic of terms, spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can eventually result in the compression of the spinal cord or one of the spinal nerve root pairs that exist within the canal. This narrowing can be traced to a number of factors, ranging from traumatic injury to obesity. However, more often than not, spinal stenosis is caused by a degenerative spine condition that occurs as a result of nothing more than the natural aging process. Herniated discs, the formation of bone spurs, the gradual misalignment of vertebrae and the onset of osteoarthritis can all cause the spinal canal to become narrowed.

Beginning spinal stenosis treatment

In nearly every case, a patient who has received a spinal stenosis diagnosis will begin treatment with a variety of noninvasive, conservative techniques that are designed to remove pressure from the affected region of the spine and alleviate pain in the short term. Some of the most commonly recommended treatments include:

Limited rest

Healthy diet

Low-impact exercises

Stretching techniques

Pain medication or anti-inflammatory drugs

The application of heat or ice

And more

Prior to beginning any new spinal stenosis treatment, it is vital that you speak with your physician to make certain that the treatment will have the intended results and not make your situation worse. While many treatments can be completed at home, visit your physician to maximize the likelihood of success.

Surgical options

If your pain persists for several weeks and conservative treatment has failed to provide you relief, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about our minimally invasive outpatient procedures that are an effective and safer alternative to open spine surgery. We can review* your MRI report at no cost and let you know if you are a candidate for our minimally invasive spinal stenosis treatment options.

Additional Resources

*Our MRI review is an informational review of the MRI report that you provide to us and is not a form of diagnosis. A diagnosis and a final determination of whether you may benefit from treatment at Laser Spine Institute can only be made after you have been physically examined by our medical professionals at Laser Spine Institute. The MRI review has no value and will not be billed.